Little Miss Perfect is awful
I can not believe that in this day and age that we are still degrading our girls in such a way. Bringing them up to believe that how you look is more important than your character is so outdated. Girls from as youngas they can understand our words need to be taught that it's their brains and character that make them winners in life, not some over makeuped, hairsprayed, worse than a drag queen dress little tramp. No wonder this country has begun it's downward spiral and shame on the station that airs this crap. I really just can't understand their being enough viewers halfway interested in this drival.
These types of pageants serve absolutely no decent purpose for these children. As stated so well by other posters, they are engaging in behavior and activities that most adults find too risque'. The wigs, false teeth, loads of makeup, These people, children and families that support, are so insincere fake in appearance and in what they do. These events only show these children the worst qualities and what character is NOT; selfish, shallow, overly competitive, self0centered and focused solely on who can put together the most outrageous (and tacky) costumes. Let these children do something that actually builds character, like help out at an animal shelter, volunteer for charitable groups, any activities that are to benefit others and have some purpose. Just the horrid spelling and grammar of the "supporters" on this site demonstrate their lack of education and intellect.
Now all of you parents cannot tell me that these children that you put into these contest are happy?? I can't believe that, I worked in a day care center for years and each of those girls talk about stuff they do after school and for contest..etc. Most of the talk was pagents they say they hate it when parents makes them do long practices and dress up like barbie dolls ( in their words not mine). I feel that is degrading them into these contest and what do they gain out of it education wise ? I rather have them enter contest in schools that has to do with them thinking and take up challanges. My own daughter says she hates to see those young girls into pagents and says enjoys challanges such as science fairs or other educational contests much more than dressing up to look like dolly parton or marie antoinette.
Have you noticed all the mom's are big fat slops and are living their life throught their daughter. The mom's are finally getting the attention they never received growing up.
I'm a former Pageant Director. There are many good pageants out there and many pitfalls as well. Most of our winners were and still are natural beauties. Perhaps a dab of makeup but what I saw on the show would not have placed a child at all. That went for ages 6mo to 16 years. The more natural the higher the scores. Our judges were mainly in an industry that could benefit the contestants and that is of utmost importance. Personally what I saw was more about someone making money on the contestants then helping. Have you any idea the cost involved? Those parents paid hundreds or thousands of dollars. Every award given was paid for. My objection to this show is how the pageant business was portrayed. Pageants can be a FANTASTIC experience just make sure it is not someone out to make a buck.
I usually just read but I had to comment on this garbage that I read...
To Lisa any other person who is ignorant enough to unsult a child just for being in beauty pageants!
Well it obviously grabbed your attention enough to convince you to write all about and what is wrong with it... I like the show I think the little girls are sweet, beautiful, talented, and graceful and if you pay any attention they all seem to and say that they love doing the pageants. Dont my any means get me wrong on this I dont care for the parents that force thier kids into doing them or punish them for not doing well. Also I am not a fan of all the make up on such small children but look at from a childs point of view. They get to play dress up in special dresses and put on big girl make up and go show it off infront of lots of people. I am 1 of 5 kids and the only girl and I played every sport I could growing up and yes that included football and cheerleading. Anything that teaches a child how to be comfortable in front of large groups and gives them confidence in a society that focuses so much on physical appearance, confidence and ability to stay cool under pressure cant be bad. I think it was best said by a pageant mom, unfortunately it is a fact of life that the prettier and more confident you are the better treatment you get in life in general. It is not right but it is a fact of life and always has been...So please just realize this and get over it. It is incredibally childish and wreckless to call children names espically when you say character is more important than beauty. Obviously you dont have either. Because calling kids names just because you know you couldnt compete with their talents in any way is sad. just sad...
Pennsy1361 - You need to practice what you preach ... "If you can't say something nice don't say anything at all." Don't you think all that name calling is a little bit childish??? These pageant kids are more mature than some of the adults leaving comments.
To all of you haters, wake up already for crying out loud, you act like babies. I mean, my goodness what next, are you going to protest. Hello, it's not the 60s anymore, it's 2009 for crying out loud. Just because you hate it doesn't mean you can ruin it for the rest of us. I mean, you people are the following: absurd, cruel, foul, disgusting and most importantly garbage. Who died and made you rulers of the world. You are like Re-Orginizable court in 1974 when they they told the Penn Central R.R. they were not re-orginizable. You know what they say, "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all." For all you lovers and supporters out there I support you. This is Pennsy1361 saying, "Go out there and give it to those haters." "Lets start a team effort to keep haters away."
I have heard so many things about this show and saw that it was on and felt compelled to watch it to see what all the fuss was about. I was shocked by what i saw. Though the intentions to teach there girls self esteem in reference to being comfortable in front of the stage for their future jobs, etc is a good thing the way they portray the rest of the pageant is frankly quite ludacris. A beauty pageant should be solely on their "natural" beauty. These children are being subjected to false ideas of what beauty really is. For example, how could ANY good parent make there children wear these so called "flippers" or spray tans. Not to mention the ridiculous amount of make up and whats with the hair??? A few curls is all you need. Why make her look like shes going to a dolly parton look alike contest. What makes a person beautiful is not how pretty they look on the outside but how caring and understanding they are on the inside. And to that mother stating its easy for parents with ugly kids to say that, WOW! The ugly person was just revealed with that comment. Who would want to bed like that. Surely not me. I do have a beauty Queen in my house and she received her honor not by how much makeup or false teeth she wore or how much she spent on a dress worth more than my mortgage. She won it by her grades, and how much she gives back to her community through charity work. That to me is a TRUE beauty queen. One who is not giving ugly looks to the other girls or making smart allic comments as well but instead donating her time to feed the homeless, reading to seniors in retirement homes, visitng the sick or delivering food to the indigent. But then again, not everyone has the same values as me and that is why this country is the way it is now. I am saddened for our childrens future.
I couldn't believe the way some of these little girls looked in the "beauty" competition. One girl looked like a miniature Marie Antoinette. How could she hold up her head with all that hair? And the sequins were almost blinding. I couldn't possibly subject my daughters to hair extensions, false eyelashes, spray tanning, etc. I'll bet some moms even have their daughters' hair bleached! The money they must be spending on dresses, makeup, lessons, photos, etc., has to mount up. I have heard a few mothers say they are hoping to win scholarships. Save this money and you'll have a good start on college tuition.
I also can't stand one of the judges--Miss South Africa. She looks down her nose at so many of the girls, as if there's no charitable bone in her body. And those botoxed lips!
And I would pay Michael not to sing that song. It's terrible, and he has no talent.
I'm watching Little Miss Perfect listening to the "horrible" song that guy is singing. I feel like throwing up. If I was a little girl on stage I would run.
But the worst thing tonight is Amber Olive's mother. I am always amazed at the mothers but this lady is cruel to her daughter and just sick. She puts her down and brags on the other girls to poor Amber. It's so obvious she is living through her daughter. The other little girl featured that plays softball, she needs to stick with softball. It's a lot more fun and a lot less expensive. There is way too much pressure on all these little girls. They are being taught that if they aren't "beautiful" they will never matter in this world and that is not true.Amber Olive's mother even said that on the show tonight. "Ugly people don't make it"... I wish Child Protective Services could shut down all these pageants. It is child abuse.
I love the mothers who say that their kids "love" being in pageants--at 18 months? At two? Give me a break. It's called projection. And thinking that the incredibly goofy "wow wear" segments are "talent." I'd feel more comfortable if the parents spent those thousands of dollars on tutoring (pageant moms: your child hopes to do WELL, not GOOD) or were saving to educate their kids. Is it just the pageants on TV that are preying on the delusional working class moms? I know Patsy Ramsay had money and possibly even education, but . . . .
When I see these little girls with their makeup and teased hair and provocotave poses, it just really makes me sad. It makes me realize what a sick sad world we live in. These are CHILDREN, LITTLE GIRLS and you are making them look like little hookers. I think that these show should be taken off the air and you mothers should be arrested for child abuse. I will not watch these shows. I wonder how many pettifiles watch them? I bet that is their largest audiance. You women are sick, and the networks are even sicker for exploiting these children and giving you a forum to parade your sickness. I pray for your children. I pray for you mothers. You are all disgusting sick women who are using their children to fulfull some sick inner issues. I hope you do not permanently damage these girls. I think that many of you already have. That is my opinion and I have just as much right to state it as you sick mothers have the right to try justify and defend your diisgusting behavior. Get a life and stop destroying your children.
Pageants are not the only thing that can give a little girl confidence!!!! My daughter is 8 years old and she is beautiful inside and out. However she has the confidence to NOT have to be jugded by others or the entire world. She is in gifted and talented at school, she does cheerleading, basketball, and baseball, and of course tumbling. So I think if she were sitting in front of the president she would have plenty to talk about. HOW ARE YOU BUILDING CONFIDENCE IN YOUR CHILD WHEN THE LITTLE GIRLS ARE HAVING TO BE FAKE TO WIN A PAGEANT????? What part of this are you people not getting. I would not see anything wrong with pageants if these little girls didn't have to be so fake. Come on show an everyday picture of the kid and then a pageant picture, you can't even tell it's the same child. The parents are teaching these girls in order to be beautiful they can't be themselves. What is so great about that. Like I said in watching the show these girls are cute little girls before the pageant but then after they have on all that fake stuff you can't even tell who they are. What part of that is building high self esteem. I teach my daughter to be honest and be herself. Trust me she is gorgeous but I would never try to make her look older than what she is or make her up to be something she really isn't. I think the pageants need to be age appropriate, all the fake stuff isn't age appropriate. FAKE meaning: hair, teeth, too much heavy make up, spray on tan, and eye lashes. Whatever else is fake. How can you comapare this to any other type of sport??
to earballz,
first of all nice name.
You said, 'i've been watching several episodes and am horrified by them.' But only one episode has aired. So i have to wonder, do you think that 'toddlers and tiaras' is the same show as 'little miss perfect?' Don't know how you could, they don't look anything alike and are not on the same network. Or maybe, did you watch 'painted babies,' an old documentary film on the same subject, which aired in the time slot before the ONE episode of LMP that has ever aired? did you get confused? is the name of what you are watching to much detail for you to deal with?
I'm sure that if next week, WE decides to air the other famous documentary on this subject, 'Living Dolls,' we will see more comments on that film from people who thought it was LMP.
To all the people, and there seem to be many, who aren't paying close enough attention to what they are watching to even know WHAT they are watching; don't comment on it because you don't what you're talking about... LITERALLY!
For the mom who stated 'For all the Moms who think we are bad moms they must have ugly children"! Lady please! How ignorant n classless you are! Instead of exploiting your child how about seeking some help for yourself,Physical n Mental!!!
I started pageants at age 12, an age that a little make up and hair spray could be considered AGE APPROPRIATE!! I loved the pageants and was old enought to COMPREHEND that it was about having a good time (not just winning). All of you women that have your daughters competing starting before they can walk!!! Oh yeah those babies have a choice...lol They LOVE it... until they are able to comprehend that they are being judged by appearances. I ask all of you pageant mothers to do one thing... find pictures of little girls with no make up.. just normal naturally pretty little girls, and ask them who do you think is pretty in these pictures. Then in contrast show them pictures of make up glitz and glam pageant girls and ask them the same question. I think it will show you mothers what you are doing to your daughter's perception of beauty.
Actually, I agree with you. I've been watching several episodes as well and I'm horrified by them. The mothers are living out their dreams through their children. They're taking away their childhood and individuality.
The little girls may say they have "fun" but they don't know anything else. From what I've seen, most have been doing this since they were three or four years old. They don't have anything else to compare it to and since it's all they've ever known, it's somewhat normal to them. When people are put into situations they have no control over, they try to make the best out of it- it's human nature. That doesn't mean that they wouldn't prefer to do other things (like play or watch TV) instead of compete against each other.
Although, I highly suspect that they don't really think it's fun. Those are probably just the lines their mothers have been feeding them. I mean, just look at them behind the scenes. It doesn't look like they're having fun. Especially when their mother's go crazy and yell at them for messing up some routine. Mistakes are bound to happen, they're just *kids.*
The poor little girls look so heartbroken when they find out that they lost. They're children- they shouldn't be thinking about make-up, beauty, who's prettier! They should be playing, learning, and having fun. It's wrong to take that from them because of some dream their mothers never managed to achieve.
When I was growing up, I was taught poise and public speaking at my church without the need for make-up and hairspray.
Although there are probably many girls who gained from their experiences in pageants, what about the girls who didn't win? What about the girls who learned to hide behind their expensive clothes, fancy hairstyles and facades that they used for their stage "performance"?
I think I'll be one of the few people on here to stand by you, Lisa.
thats the whole thing their just childeren!! why dress them up to look like 20 year old women. i have a 6 year old daughter and she is happy being a 6 year old little girl. if she wanted to do these pageants i would be totally against it cause it a very sick world out their and their r s ome sick people out their that dont see them as little girls with all that makeup. its disgusting!!!!
i would like to say something to all the people who thinks pageant are bad i have 2 little girls they both compete in pageants my oldest one is 2 1/2 and she does talent she started doing talent at 18 mths old we found out she could read while at a pageant. pageant has been a great influance on my daughters they are smart happy and a regular kids we do some glitz pageants my 2 yr old weres makeup and a hair scrunchies and my 1 yr old weres blush that doesen't make a bad parent and doesn't mean that we are living our life through our kids because when i was growing up i never wanted to do pageants i was a very big tomboy and still am but my girls love it my 2yr old ask if we can go all the time the moment she doesn't want to do them any more she won't my 1 yr old isn't talking much but when she the stage she happy she loves the stage and i believe that no matter what you do in life you have to pratice and work at it weather it's a sport talent or just a job we have to work so we can be the best that we can be no matter what it is my 2yr old we pratice some moves and things i think it's foolish to expect a positive outcome without the work it not about winning or losing it about being the best you and nobody else win or lose i always cheer my girls to victory with or without a crown my girls my lose but if they did a personal best then to me that is a victory. if they didn't do a personal best win or lose i may say something about it like we need to pratice pretty feet and thats it we go on with the day which is usally at the pool and eating i love my girls and i just wish people could get pass somethings because just like there are bad people in every calture there are ignorant people in pageants that are rude that are pushie and go to the exetrame that's not all of us thank you
My 9 year has been doing pageants since the age of 5. A friend had us try one and my daughter was hooked after that. Let me tell you, she had learned poise and has confidence in everything she does now. And she loves them, she loves the big fake hair and makeup and the beautiful dresses as well as the modeling. She says she loves to be on the stage. I don't I as making her out to be a tramp, the day she says mommy I dont want to do pageants anymore is the day we stop. She took a few months break from them and is now having pageant with drawls. She's getting ready to start up again. She doesnt just do the big hair glitz pageants but she also does the natural pageants. Yes she loves to win the crown, they all want it but when she doesnt win she says she just has to practice harder. Determination in everything she does! Shes beautiful on the outside and inside. She has manners and uses them. Not all pageant kids are brats. It all reflects on the pageant parent.
Okay!! Where to start? My daughter has been doing pageants for 7 years. She is now 9 years old; she absolutely LOVES them and begs to do them. My question to those of you that are judging negatively, what would your 8-year-old daughter do if sitting face to face with the Governor of your state? Would she know what to say? How to sit? Could she speak clearly and confidently? Would she ever even have that opportunity?? Mine did and let me tell you she was able to carry on a conversation (rather intelligently at that!!) with such great poise and confidence that even that Governor himself was impressed. This came from pageantry! Many pageants are judged on more than just a beautiful face. They are judged on the ability to speak, they are judged on confidence and poise. These are all things that when my daughter is sitting at Harvard (or wherever she chooses to attend college) that are going to help set my child aside from the rest. With many pageants, it is so much more than a crown and banner. You represent a title. My daughter has represented titles at children’s hospitals taking gifts to ill children, at nursing homes sitting and reading and spending time with elderly people, at VA hospitals entertaining those that fought for our country. She has collected toys for Toys for Tots, and rang the bell for Salvation Army. There is so much more that I could sit here all night and go on!! My point being, sure there might be the parents out there that are living through their children but you will find that on 99% of the High School football fields in the US, on hockey fields, basketball courts, etc. Pageantry has so much it can offer. As far as the hair and makeup goes, what princess doesn't like to dress up?? Do you really think I take my 9-year-old daughter to Wal-Mart like that? Come on now!! I also want to respond to the person above that commented and said that our daughters would probably have sex before they are 18, NEWSFLASH! 95% of teen-age girls have sex before they are 16! Pageantry has nothing to do with it. For that matter, I have such a wonderful relationship with my daughter that she could confide in me with out shame or guilt BEFORE she made the decision to do so. The key to that my friend is COMMUNICATION!! You should perhaps educate yourself before you speak!
Ok... I am 21 years old and I grew up doing HIGH GLITZ pageants! I loved getting spray tan, make-up, hairsprayed hair, and getting to wear gorgeous clothes! I also had two coaches! Take it from someone who actually knows about pageants...They are not horrible...it's only horrible that some of the mothers make daughters compete that don't really want to! Mothers if your children cry and complain and you say they want to do pageants and they love them...YOU ARE SOOOO WRONG! Children like my sister who is 8 and she does win HIGH GLITZ titles like supremes and grands but she also goes through not winning and she is ok with all of it! She never cries and is always excited about doing them! She turned out to be just like me and I'm happy for that! I am now a pageant coach and I see children that don't want to be there and I do feel sorry for them. I will not teach a child unless they are just as commited as the mother and I! Oh also, pageants are just like every other sport whether it be for boy or girl! They win and lose and mothers, fathers, and every family member cheer on for teams and boo teams! Cheerleading, dance, ice skating, and singing...all of you mothers and fathers put make-up on your children and trust me I know this cause I have been to plenty of recitals and it's alot of make-up just as pageants!
I have a daughter that competed on the national level until she was about 3. She stopped doing them and now at 13 she is interested in them again. It was very healthy for her back then. She had such a blast getting all dressed up and showing out. Most pageants are held in ballrooms in hotels and we couldn't go anywhere without passing a hotel and her bouncing in her carseat yelling "We going to a pageant mommy? We going to a pageant??" When she stopped asking about them is when we quit - no questions asked. She is also a cheerleader, editor of her yearbook, and straight A student, so I think she is very capable of making her own decisions about what activities she wants to be involved in. I do resent those that think she will have to use sex as a means of getting what she wants later in life. She is very articulate, and a Christian. Have you seen a highschool cheer routine lately??? Let's talk about sexual!! And she has already asked if that next year as a freshman if she is asked to do sexual moves would she be allowed to quit because she will not do them. Makeup, a pretty dress and high heels does not equate slut. And every pageant show that has been on seems to focus on the "dark side". It's ratings and all of us in the pageant world knows this. Also to the poster that said this wasn't a "sport" and then went on to define a sport - My daughter has an hour lesson once a week with her coach. She practices at least 45 minutes a day. She exercises 4 times a week. I've put more than one bandaid on her toes. And she has learned to win AND lose with grace and charm. I am pround to be her mother.
Thank you 'bajalover' - it is so good to hear the open opinion of a mother, what I like most about your post is that although your daughters are not in pageants, your post was encouraging for many young women weather they are in pageants or not. Thank you. -- Nyasha
To "Vi0613" -- are YOU are mother of a "Little Miss Perfect"? Because unless you are, then my next question would be "how do YOU know?" Have you ever attended a "Little Miss Perfect" Pageant? Or let alone ANY children's/adult pageant? Met the contestants, walked back stage, heard their journey stories, or simply asked these young girls how much pain and suffering they were in???? Had Jon Benet been a softball player, would there be such a negative image with softball as there have been with pageants since then? Lastly, let me remind you that in "Little Miss Perfect" there IS a talent portion called "wow wear" where contestants get to showcase their on stage performance ability through a themed costume. It is age appropriate, and as a judge it was an important part in the scoring process for me. Newsflash! This Just In: Bad choices that lead to a bad adolescent can come from any and all areas of a child's upbringing, NOT only from pageants! Let us be
realistic. -- Nyasha
As I said in an earlier post My daughter does do pageants. She is 6 1/2. Little Miss Perfect was her first glitz pageant and we decided ( together ) that we would stick to doing pageants with very little or no make up. We both are happier.
She is also an A student. ( there are pageant sytems that require the girls to have at least a C Grade point average. )
She also takes music lessons. She is learning to play the drums Now how girly is that!
She is not a snooty stuck up little girl most of her class mates doesn't even know she does pageants.
BTW - Many pageants are scored mostly on communication (personal interviews with the judges, public speaking/introduction event), plus a score for your resume' and your community service platform, with the only "appearance" score being for poise. The stuff that you have seen on TV is only selective footage of "glitz" pageants.
Continue to support your daughter in good things. She will need you to be discerning, not pushed around like the wind by a stereotype from tv shows like this one.
Your daughter will need your wisdom. I count on my parents to be a part of my life and help me do good things with my life. Keep learning and asking. Find out the truth and follow it.
Here is the SHOCKING TRUTH: Girls in pageants learn so much more than just how to walk with confidence, interview, and serve in their community. They learn that beauty, true beauty, comes from within.
Let's get some perspective here. Many pageants, and many many participants do not have makeup.
Think for a moment about all the craziness around modeling. Girls, with their moms and dads going full blast, pour themselves into modeling.
That is a thing where it truly is ALL ABOUT YOUR LOOKS, and is ALL ABOUT SEXUALITY. We are only kidding ourselves to think otherwise.
Why are we not having this conversation about modeling??
What is the spell that has been cast over us all to glorify modeling so much and attack pageantry?
Why do you want to compare your daughter to girls in pageantry? I do not compare myself to other girls' beauty in pageantry. Why would you?
Why do you not campare them to girls in modeling?
Why compare them to girls in anything? We do not do that in pageantry.
We compete individually for the best score. It is an effort to do our personal best, not an effort to be compared. It is fun. There is no need to make it something bad.
And there is no need to compare your daughters to anyone's beauty. I know you mean well, but there is just no need to even bring it up. If you do not make something of it, then she won't either.
Yes I think that we have both learned something. Im not saying anyones opinion is wrong and yes alot arent forced into it. The main thing I feel that is wrong is that they are giving this very stereotypical view of beauty. Not saying that it doesnt teach beauty from within because it just may well do that all I am saying is that when I have a daughter I dont want her to think that because she doesnt look like those pageant girls she isnt pretty enough. I would encourage her to do whatever she wanted in life no matter if it was a pageant or any other type of sport. Im not saying these girls are necessarily forced but from what I have heard from friends who have done pageants there mom "encouraged" them. But whos to say that is wrong.
xhammyannx05: It does not matter that you were not in a pageant, or that you do not have first hand knowledge of what actually pageants are like. Your comments are valued and respected.
More importantly, there is no reason that you "are not beautiful, nor should not feel beautiful, just because you were not in a pageant or because you dont wear makeup everyday or because your hair isnt done everyday."
Actually, that is one of the things you learn in the real world of pageants, that real beauty comes from within.
xhammyannx05: I think you and I have learned that judging people based on TV show parodies, or a few things that someone says out of context, is just not right.
Oh, and one more important stereotype to burst: The idea that parents are somehow forcing girls to be in pageants is a silly parody that is kept alive with the retelling. Pageant girls make the same choices to particpate as any girl or boy does when they are choosing to be in a sport or anything else.
Pageants, dance, and sports, are fun. They all have their place and thier value for every participant if handled right. But you can go to any of them and find the bad, if you look for it.
I see where everyone where is coming from. I am not saying anyone is wrong at all. Sure you can learn communication and self confidence by doing these pageants. But it should be your choice if you want to do these pageants. I feel that if my mom had put me into pageants that young i might resent her now for it. Now thats just me but like i said you may learn all these things there. But what about the false things you learn. Not saying every pageant girl is like this but most think that there is this standard of beauty, like always having your hair and makeup done. How is that reality? And again not everyone that has competed is like this but alot of these girls are growing up spoiled and thinking that they are perfect. They may only show certain things on t.v. but that doesnt mean they arent true. And just because I dont go around saying I've been in a pageant or know someone who has doesnt mean I dont. So just because someone thinks they know more then me because they have experienced it doesnt mean i havent. I dont think all these girls turn out the way they are expected to. But just because I wasn't in a pageant or just because I dont wear makeup everyday or because my hair isnt done everyday doesnt mean I'm not just as beautiful as any girls in any pageant.
Wow - that is a very judgemental statement. You are falling right into the arms of the show's producers who are playing on your pre-fabricated stereotyped views in order to gain ratings.
Now here is the truth. I have been in glitz pageants (like the one that appears to be shown in Little Miss Perfect), and I have been in non-glitz (no make-up) pageants. BTW, there IS a choice; but the no-makeup pageants don't get any coverage on the TV.
Over the last twelve years I have also been in a LOT of sports, dance, and cheer. The fact is that there is a TON more makeup and moves and racy outfits in dance. Cheer too. My mom, and just about everyone else's mom, is so embarrasing - a lunatic - at the sporting events, and stands up and yells, and yells at the referee, and yells at the coach, and buys me private lessons, and there is all this drama around the games and the parents... but none of that seems to matter there.
A TINY bit of that shows up at a pageant and it is all blown out of proportion, and people like you who have not been at a pageant (only the paradies on TV) come around and pontificate as if you know what is what.
Now that I am in high school, I can communicate effectively, interview well, prepare a resume', organize community service projects, and have the confidence to handle myself in just about any situation. I credit that to my pageant experience.
Sports have been fun, but the pageants are the real thing where it matters: confidence, making friends, and making a difference in your community.
I understand your pre-judging (actually, prejudice) because the stereotypes are all you have seen. But if you knew THE SHOCKING INSIDE TRUTH OF PAGEANTS, you'd know that they are a really good thing for kids.
But just like sports, you need to make good choices, and have the right attitude, to get the most from it.
I understand your feelings toward the beauty pegeants. I really don't like how they say
"Little Miss Perfect" because no one is perfect!
And they are trying to convince little girls that they need to be perfect in order to be loved.
i have competed in pagents all my life and still do. I LOVE IT!!!...it is one of the funnest things for a girl to experience. It teaches you about yourself and makes you more self confident.and so wat if you look good the whole time...i gives you so many opertunities. some of the moms do get carried away but thats normal. it doesnt have anything to do with the girls.my mom is the same way with me im turning out just fine. im condident in myself, have no problem speaking in front of the classmates, and i am a straight A student, and envolved in many charities and activites..im on varsity volleyball basketball track and gymnastics (and my hair and makeup always looks good)..i am a very dedicated girl and i think pagents have taught me alot of that.and it is a sport in fact a very hard one it does involve regular practices you DO have to be very strong to walk in those heels and you DO build stamina from all the stress.and yess you sweat ALOT it is very hard and every one of these girls are extremly talented, it takes alot to do what they do...you people are just seeing wat they want to show you on camera the drama and fighting thats television until you have experienced it yourself you have no idea...
I think you are absolutely right. Little Miss Perfect is not only degrading but also gives some girls false sense of hope. The mothers say they are installing self confidence in their girls which is somewhat true i suppose but if thats what your trying to accomplish or say thats what your trying to do then why can't you let them go into these pageants looking normal without makeup. How are you going to install self confidence in these little girls when your making them change their appearance to make them your standard of beauty.
These little girls already have bags under their eyes. You should listen to how they talk to others, they are beyond selfish, self centered, and superficial females already! They can't self regulate the amount of these qualities they exhibit, and before they are even 18, most of them will have used sex as a means to get what they want, they are being taught that right now, not beauty, but sex appeal...and how to get what they want by looking better than the next girl. They are WAY to young to be exposed to this type of trashy, tasteless, arrogant, over sexualized, seductive way of thinking, they don't know how to process it, let alone carry a normal 7 year old lifestyle after being pushed and scolded, sexed, and brainwashed by their selfish mothers who if you listened, were doing it for themselves, for their egos, for their sense of purpose, and boy does it ruin the little girl. Maybe you sick, desperate women who call yourselves mothers should do just a little research on what these little girls turn into when they are around 15 to 17! I did, and that is why I think this show should be about the detriments and long term effects of sexualizing and teaching your little girl to be this type of shallow person at an age, that creates socio-pathic tendancies in 45% of the girls by the age of 16. The Pregnancy, STD, Rape, drug use, exotic services, incest, sexual/physical abuse of and by these girls. DO SOME RESEARCH! These mothers are filthy, misled, manipulative, or dillusional people that obviously have no intention of stopping this behaviour, unless they actually care about their child...which obviously don't
Sorry, tracip but pageant competition, while a competition is in no way a 'sport'. Here is what a sport is-attending practice at least three times a week for 2 hours a time, practicing at home, doing exercises to improve flexibility, strength and stamina, and prevent injury, getting blisters, dealing with shin splints, risking breaks, stress fractures and sprains, sweating-a lot! I have seen plenty of pageants and in now ay can they be considered a sport.
Its interesting to me to see what some parents will put their kids through. We are teaching our little girls that your hair and make up are more important then your mind. I love We but this is pushing it. We should not be spot lighting parents who turn their little girls in to sexed up hussies. I'm a fromer pagent kid my self and I HATED feeling like the only important thing about me was my looks. Teach your little girls to love the outdoors and reading.Not makeup and sequines.
Unfortunately, poor Jon Benet was a victim of a sick, twisted, perverted mind of a murderer, not of pageants. If this were true, young girls country wide would come up missing at pageants. Please understand, I am not a person who would ever choose to put my daughters into a pageant....that's just not our thing. But, I am certainly not going to approach a family who does choose to do pageantry and blame them for Jon Benet's death. We need to focus on who was the TRUE perpetrator of that horrendous crime, and while Jon Benet did do pageants, it certainly wasn't the cause of her victimization. I am by no means a staunch supporter of pageants, but try to understand that these people are trying to do the best by their children the best they know how. Just like any parent in the world. I will suspend my harsh criticism for pageant mothers, and focus it toward parents who are abusive and do not care about their children one iota. They are spending time with their children, and loving them as best they can. That's a lot more than other parents do. Just try to suspend your judgement for a moment, and apply logical thought. (This coming from a woman who has no use whatsoever for pageants!) I hope these little girls achieve every dream and goal they have for themselves, whether it's being Miss America, or being a dentist.
My daughter was a contestant on Little Miss Perfect and she does pageants for the love of it and not for me. If she didn't love it we would have quit along time ago. As for talent, she is a very talented little girl that dances several days during the week, she is also involved with our local Art Council. I can not speak for all the girls but I hope that you can tell that my daughter does pageants because she loves it and not for my self gratitude.
The mother's of these "little Miss Perfect's" are doing this for their own self-gratitude." Remember Jon Benet? Why not dance lessons, or acting classes where the emphasis is on talent, rather than beauty? Bad choices for your child when they are young, lead to a maladjusted adolecent.
Lisa,
I certainly understand your frustration, as I used to be firmly on your side. However, in this day and age, we must empower women, young and old, to be proud of the choices they make, even if we don't agree with them. Being a true supporter of women doesn't mean that you have to be a combat boot wearing, short spiky haircut sporting emasculating beeotch. You can be a homemaker and still be a proud feminist. It is all about choice. So, if these girls choose to be hyper feminine, bravo...as long as it's THEIR choice. My daughters choose not to be in pageants, they choose sports. I'm proud of them no matter what choices they make as long as they are happy, willing to take accountability and responsibility for those choices and lead productive lives...wether they choose to be the next president, work for NASA, or be a domestic goddess. That is the most important gift you can give a young girl...empowerment to be a strong woman.
Lisa,
While you mention that brains are important, your post misspells several words (even the last one).
This is for LISA1965- Fortunately we have lots of people who will view the show because they are supportive of these children and their dreams and goals! I would like to see you get up in front of 100 plus people and give a monologue, speech, sing or dance. For that matter, even walk across the stage with confidence and poise! This is just another creative way for these girls to learn new things. And hopefully gain something positive that they can use to be successful in life. Pagentry girls give back to the community by doing volunteer services.
Before you sit back and judge, look at the whole picture not just the pageant itself.
Doesn't everyone dress up to go on a date or out to eat? Just because you don't get your hair and make up done by a professional or maybe you don't wear any- don't judge until you can stand to be JUDGED YOURSELF!
These children are not tramps. It is no different than cheerleading, softball, soccer, or anything else that a child can compete in. My child is taught that beauty comes from within. If you are confident and well put together as a total package than you can go far in life. I teach her to never rely on looks because they will not always be there. Obviously you have no clue about the "sport." It is people like you that give pageants a bad name, not the children competing.
I have a child that does pageants.She loves it. I see her want to be around her friends. She loves to be on stage. If showing my daughter at a young age to be confident and build her self esteem is wrong then by all means call me a bad parent. Now, are you saying bad things when the father or the mother pumps there kids with steroids or pushed them to extreems in sports. Now that is degrading your children. Also, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA are wonderful ro-models for our young girls. Last, if you dont like it then dont watch it and if you have nothing positive to say about our future Miss USA's or our future president then keep the comments to yourself.
God Bless..